The Forest Ranger's Promise by Leigh Bale Page B

want to let what happened in town ruin that for them.”
    He agreed. “I’m hoping to show Anne that I’m not the ogre she thinks I am.”
    He tensed, awaiting her reaction. Except for Jim and Karen, Melanie had become his only ally in Snyderville and he hated to lose their tentative friendship. What if Melanie got scared off by the censure from the other ranchers? He didn’t know what he’d do if she refused to provide child care for Shelley.
    â€œDon’t worry, Scott. I can handle this. I was just caught off guard. I’ll restructure my schedule so I can protect Shelley better on shopping day. Nina never works on Saturdays, so I’ll do my shopping then.”
    Her loyalty touched him deeply. He couldn’t help resenting Allison for not being here to help protect theirdaughter. Melanie had shown more generosity toward Shelley than the girl’s own mother.
    If he were honest, he would confess that he expected Melanie to break their business deal. After all, his problems weren’t her problems. She had her hands full running her ranch. Seeing the kindly light in her eyes and hearing her words of comfort reassured him as nothing else could. Both he and Shelley needed the McAllisters right now. Badly.
    â€œThanks, Mel. I appreciate it more than I can say.”
    She walked him to the door. As she waved goodbye, he looked over and saw Anne sitting on the porch swing watching him. He could count on Melanie, but he wasn’t so sure about Anne. The girl seemed to genuinely like Shelley. It was him she disliked so vehemently. And he had no doubt Melanie would put Anne first. If he became too big a problem, Melanie would need to curtail their tentative friendship. Scott couldn’t blame her. He’d do the same thing for Shelley. He just hoped it didn’t come to that.
    When he’d accepted this job assignment, he hadn’t realized how difficult things might get. He didn’t like being a pariah in town. If only he could prove everyone wrong. If only he could show them that he was a friend, not a foe.
    He’d get his chance soon enough, at the ranchers’ meeting he’d scheduled. From what Melanie had told him, every rancher would be there. If he was a praying man, he’d ask God for help. But he hadn’t prayed since the week before Allison left him, and he didn’t want to start now.

Chapter Six
    O n Friday evening, Scott arrived to pick up Shelley and stayed to work for a couple of hours. He wore a plain cotton shirt that matched the crystal blue of his eyes. Melanie exhaled slowly, grateful he’d changed out of his ranger uniform. She chuckled when she imagined what Frank and Nina Donaldson would say if they saw him out in her hay fields moving sprinkler pipe.
    â€œYou sure you know what to do?” she asked as he braced one hand on the top rail and hopped the fence with ease.
    â€œYep.” He didn’t comment further as he reached back for Shelley to assist her as she straddled the fence. When he reached to help Anne, the little girl backed away, her eyes narrowed. Scott didn’t push the issue. He dropped his hand to his side, then turned and walked toward the main water valve.
    Melanie had turned off the water an hour earlier so the pipes would drain and be less cumbersome to move. She stood leaning against the splintered fence, shading her eyes from the afternoon sunshine. Staring after him as he ambled away, she couldn’t help but admire his muscular physique. He seemed self-assured on a ranch, butdid he really know what to do? Uncertainty filled Melanie for a few moments until he unhooked the outlet, then headed for the little gas-driven engine. After turning it on, he started moving each giant wheel sprinkler into a nice, straight line. Yep, he knew what he was doing. She’d check back later to make sure that he rehooked the flexible pipe and turned the water back on.
    Shelley trotted after her father, but Anne